The test eqiupment:
Tracker Marine Pro Crappie 175
Mercury 50 Hp Four stroke
Full tank of gas
Two depth finders
Two anchors
Tackle box (rods were removed for this test)
Live wells and bait wells empty (about 25 gallons of water)
Trollling motor on bow
Three batteries
The stock Black Max XT 10-1/2 x 13 pushes the boat 32 mph @ 5400 rpm. I am little concerned about the long term effects of having the motor slightly overloaded and decided to try a lower pitch prop. A previous attempt to use a 10-1/2 x 13 Michigan Wheel Rapture SS prop last year ended with a WOT speed of 30 mph @ 5200 rpm. That prop is clearly not suitable for my set-up.
The Turning Point Prop Wizard was right on the fence between the Hustler 11 and 12 pitch propellers. Twenty pounds of additional weight would reduce the recommendation to the lower pitch.
I decided to try the Turning Point Hustler 10-7/8 x 11 bought through the iboats marine store. WOT with this prop is right at 6000 rpm with a speed of 33 mph. The boat performs and handles much better with this prop. The depth finder even operates at a higher speed than before. I'm not sure if I'm getting more or less lift on the stern but the water flow is better for the depth finder so it is all good (until now, the stepped transom started causing problems with the depth finder above 24 mph). By the time I put the tackle I didn't carry with me today in the boat, fill the live wells with water, and fill the cooler with drinks and snacks the rpm should be just right.
Shipping was very fast as well.
Tracker Marine Pro Crappie 175
Mercury 50 Hp Four stroke
Full tank of gas
Two depth finders
Two anchors
Tackle box (rods were removed for this test)
Live wells and bait wells empty (about 25 gallons of water)
Trollling motor on bow
Three batteries
The stock Black Max XT 10-1/2 x 13 pushes the boat 32 mph @ 5400 rpm. I am little concerned about the long term effects of having the motor slightly overloaded and decided to try a lower pitch prop. A previous attempt to use a 10-1/2 x 13 Michigan Wheel Rapture SS prop last year ended with a WOT speed of 30 mph @ 5200 rpm. That prop is clearly not suitable for my set-up.
The Turning Point Prop Wizard was right on the fence between the Hustler 11 and 12 pitch propellers. Twenty pounds of additional weight would reduce the recommendation to the lower pitch.
I decided to try the Turning Point Hustler 10-7/8 x 11 bought through the iboats marine store. WOT with this prop is right at 6000 rpm with a speed of 33 mph. The boat performs and handles much better with this prop. The depth finder even operates at a higher speed than before. I'm not sure if I'm getting more or less lift on the stern but the water flow is better for the depth finder so it is all good (until now, the stepped transom started causing problems with the depth finder above 24 mph). By the time I put the tackle I didn't carry with me today in the boat, fill the live wells with water, and fill the cooler with drinks and snacks the rpm should be just right.
Shipping was very fast as well.
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